HANOI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 100 firms from 13 countries will take part in the 2018 International Exhibition on Shipbuilding, Shipping and Offshore Technology (Vietship), the biggest of its kind in Vietnam, on Jan. 24-26 in Hanoi, organizers said on Friday.

Shipbuilders, shipping lines, and technology and equipment providers from China, South Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany and the United States will showcase their latest products and services at 163 booths.

Vietship's key activities include a buyer forum, which will offer exhibitors as well as visitors exclusive one-on-one meetings to have better understanding of each other's capabilities and seek for future business, a conference themed "Shipping and Shipbuilding Market in Vietnam - Challenges and Opportunities," and a contract signing ceremony.